12/06/11 2:20pm

Article By: Marty Niland

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says prospects may be dwindling further for a comprehensive emissions deal, or even a plan for one, at the world climate talks in Durban, South Africa.

Ban tells The Associated Press that such a deal "may be beyond our reach for now," after China and India dealt a setback to European plans for a "road map" to a binding deal that would take effect after 2020.  The European Union says without such a plan, it will not renew its emissions reduction targets under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which expires next year.

"We must be realistic about expectations for a breakthrough in Durban," said Ban, citing barriers including political differences, the worldwide financial crisis and disagreements on priorities among rich and poor countries.

While China has publicly stated it is willing to discuss a legally binding post-2020 deal, EU and U.S. officials have said that China made clear in private meetings that it will not accept international limits on its own future carbon emissions. Indian Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan has said his country also will not accept binding limits.